Monument Valley was definitely a bucket list location for me. The iconic red sandstone buttes rising out of the completely flat landscape creating iconic views that have featured in no less than 60 films. It is a beautiful area of Navajo land and if anyone is in doubt about whether they should visit, my recommendation is a resounding yes!

So, the first question that you may have is how long do you need to visit? Obviously it depends on what you want to do but I would say a minimum of 3 hours, if you are just stopping in as you pass through the area but if you have 24 hours in your schedule then here are a few ideas of what you can do and see.

• 11:00 - Windtalkers Museum

• 12:00 - A tour by the Navajo Guides

• 15:00 - Drive in to Monument Valley Park

• 17:00 - Check in to The View Hotel

• 09:00 - Forrest Gump Hill

I will just start with a quick bit of useful information - if you visit during the summer months then you need to be aware of the time changes. Navajo Nations observe Mountain Daylight Saving Time as does Utah, Arizona however does not. Monument Valley is Navajo land but is located in the are where the Utah and Arizona geographical borders meet. This means that for the whole day my iPhone was jumping around with time and got itself (and me) very confused about what time it was. I ended up just asking Google what the time was in the end.

Talking of time, let me get back to my guide to an absolutely amazing 24 hours in Monument Valley!

11:00 - Windtalkers Museum

I arrived in Kayenta, Arizona which describes itself as the “Gateway to Monument Valley”. There is a little gem of a museum located here, in all places, a Burger King! It is a museum of the Windtalkers.

A private collection that was put on display to show the incredible effort that the Windtalkers contributed to the war effort. Their messages remain the only communication code that was never cracked.

There is a new museum being built next door to the Burger King but this insightful small collection in the restaurant is a wonderful little find.

12:00 - A tour by the Navajo Guides

The land is rightfully protected and to visit most areas of this park requires you to be part of a guided tour. I chose the Teardrop Arch Tour with Navajo Spirit Guides and I wholeheartedly recommend this.

Arriving at the pick up location, we met the guide and were told that it is one of their quieter tours and we were the only ones booked on, so it turned in to a private tour. This tour doesn’t actually go in to the Monument Valley Park, it instead takes you to get some incredible views of it from restricted land.

The jeep ride out to where we would explore was fun! Very bumpy and very windswept, you head out on off roading Navajo Trails to get to some secluded areas. Our guide was incredible, so knowledgeable and made the tour good fun with his sense of humour. Every tour includes a performance and he played a beautiful song on the pipes for us whilst we visited an ancient cave house.

We then scaled rocks to get some incredible views of the Park. The final location was the tour’s namesake, the Teardrop Arch. A beautiful frame for Monument Valley and I took photos that I will treasure for a lifetime.

The tour was approximately 2 hours 30 mins.

TEARDROP ARCH | navajo-spirit-tours

navajo-spirit-tours

15:00 - Drive in to Monument Valley Park

There is a charge to enter and that allows you access to the scenic drive and the hiking trail. The scenic drive is a 17 mile loop that takes you around all three of the iconic Buttes.

I opted to do the hiking trail, namely The Wildcat Trail. A 4 mile hike that takes you from the entrance of the park on a circular loop around the Left Mitten. The trail is very flat and it is a clear path. It is fully exposed to the sun, with very little shade, so do take water and suncream.

The trail gives you incredible views of the Left Mitten, you can see everything about this Butte. It also affords wonderful views of the Right Mitten and Merrick Butte. You get so close to them and I believe far better views than the scenic drive.

This hike took approximately 1hr 45mins, with plenty of photo stops.

Monument Valley | Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation

Explore the breathtaking beauty of Monument Valley in Navajo. Discover more about the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation and the natural wonders they oversee.

Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation

17:00 - Check in to The View Hotel

There are two hotels that you can stay at in the Park and I took the leap and booked the Top Floor King Room for the night. This came with a balcony and no restriction above you. A night of sunset watching, star gazing and sunrise watching was in order.

The View Hotel is beautiful, the view is incomparable and the rooms are excellent and clean. The restaurant food on the other hand had consistently received poor or mediocre reviews in everything that I had read with many commenting that it was incredibly expensive at a minimum. I therefore planned ahead and stopped off at Walmart on the way to have a balcony picnic that evening.

Sitting out and watching the sun set over that iconic view is a memory that will last a lifetime. I was fortunate that jet lag still had its hold on me and it was no problem to wake up before 06:00 to catch the sunrise.

Monument Valley View

Welcome to The View Hotel. Ya’at’eeh, my name is Armanda Ortega and I am of the Kiy`anníí (Towering House) Clan. I am privileged to welcome you to a sacred place for my people, the Diné. In the Navajo, we believe that our people journeyed through three worlds in various forms of being before emerging […]

Monument Valley View

09:00 - Forrest Gump Hill

Following an early morning exploration of the Hotel grounds and taking in the John Wayne Viewpoint, it was time to head out on the road.

Exiting the park it was a 20 minute drive to the final stop for Monument Valley: The iconic “Forest Gump Hill”. This is marked on Google and Apple Maps but you will definitely know when you reach it, as plenty of other sightseers will be parked up at the right point. This is the location where, in the film, Forest stops running.

The road leading off in to the distance is the photo that everyone is trying to take. Be careful of traffic, but have fun and get that snapshot of you running! A lovely photo opportunity and even if you don’t know the film, it is still a photo worth taking!

Forrest Gump Hill | Utah's Canyon Country

www.utahscanyoncountry.com/forrest-gump-hill

So that is my recommendation for 24 hours in Monument Valley. A beautiful and relaxed day taking in the best views.

Did you know?
Mission Impossible 2 requested to film the opening scene in the Valley and was refused. The compromise that was reached was that Metallica could film the video for the soundtrack song on one of the Butte’s.

Firstly, thank you for visiting my website. I hope that you find some interesting ideas for travel and you enjoy the photos from my travels.

If you have any questions, please do drop me a message - I’d love to hear from you!

I am Ruth, also known as The Organised Explorer. I live in Leeds, United Kingdom. They call the County of Yorkshire “God’s Own Country” and I can absolutely see why. I am incredibly lucky to live near some incredible National Parks, historic cities and picturesque villages. It truly is an incredible part of the world and I have a joyful time exploring it.

When I am not exploring my own neighbourhood, I adore travelling the world. I have a bucket list that consists of ‘everywhere I have not yet been’ and I am working hard to check of as many of them as I can. I treasure my annual leave and like to use it thoroughly to see as much of this wonderful globe as I can.

If there is one thing I love as much as the actual exploring and travel, it is the research. I devour guidebooks, blogs and social media for ideas on where to go, what to do and how to see it. It is all part of the love for me but most importantly, it allows my time in these incredible destinations to be filled with amazing experiences, great food, wonderful drinks and beautiful sights.

I have completed many solo travel adventures and these have been the most educational experiences of my life. I have learnt so much and met some wonderful people all over the world. My favourite travels though, are those with my beloved Daniel. When I can laugh and love my way around the world, I feel incredibly lucky.

So, to give you a bit more information about me and to put a bit of context to my adventures, here are 10 things to know about me:

1. I am tall - 6ft - so above average. This might provide context for me moaning about shower heights, airplane leg room or head height in caves etc.

2. I love walking/hiking. If I am in a new city, I will walk everywhere to really explore and see as much as I can. If there is countryside/hills/mountains then I am going to visit them.

3. My biggest bug bear in travel research is an article that states ‘Top 10 things in [a city]’ and then number three is in a completely different city or worse a completely different country. Don’t get me wrong, it will be a completely valid suggestion for a visit but surely there are 10 things within that city! Check out posts on what to do in Helsinki… visiting Tallinn (in Estonia) is one of the top 5 things to do in Helsinki!

4. I am a big fan of hand luggage only. I can pack for a two week adventure with only cabin bags and I love it.

5. The literature that I take on my adventures is firmly in the Cosy Crime category. Agatha Christie is my favourite but any kooky detective solving a murder is right up my street.

6. My travel snack of choice is Pick’n’Mix. I love sweets and they are perfect for a little pick me up when the flight is delayed.

7. When visiting a city, one of my first searches in Google is “Speakeasy”. I love a fine cocktail that is expertly mixed and if there is a bit of mystery surrounding the location/entrance to the bar then all for the good. My cocktail of choice would be bourbon based, if it is a limited menu then an Old Fashioned will be my order.

8. My favourite food is Greek but I am always happy to try any food. The only thing that I can’t do… heat (spicy heat). I am firmly in the mild camp and definitely know that delicious flavours don’t have to come with spice.

9. I may pack light on my adventures but the one thing I always make sure I pack is my travel pillow. I can sleep anywhere and through pretty much anything, my Trtl neck pillow is one of the best things I have bought for my travels.

10. The number one travel destination on my bucket list has been on there since I was 8 years old playing on my GeoSafari. I have not yet managed to get there…. It will be so special when I finally get to visit.

Do you love a city trail? Following a little map around the hotspots of a city; searching for statues, street art or historical plaques? Some cities even take you out to lesser known areas to encourage tourism to recently gentrified areas or hidden gems.  If, like me, you love these wonderful ways to explore a city then Hull has a wonderful adventure for you to enjoy!

Hull’s connection to fishing dates back centuries, perfectly located on the Humber Estuary for access to the North Sea.  The fishing trawlers and ships cover areas as far as Iceland and Norway.  Whilst this industry has reduced significantly in recent years, it is still a key part of the city and, if you take some time to wander around the marina, the history is still very much alive in the rejuvenated dockland buildings.

It is therefore not a surprise that the trail Hull offers to visiting explorers is a Fish Trail.  A route that takes you from the Historic City Hall, down to the Marina, through the redeveloped Docklands and back through the Old Town.  This 2.5 mile walk takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete (at a gentle pace) but you will go past all of the main sights of the city and get a wonderful feel for the area, as well as having fun ‘collecting’ the fish along the way.

Guides

So I started at Hull City Hall, unsure of exactly what I am looking for.  There is a map supplied by Visit Hull.  I would treat this map as a ‘serving suggestion’ rather than an ‘recipe’… if that makes sense.  The locations are approximate and by the time I left the City Hall, I knew I would need something more.

So a brief Google allowed me to find this more detailed guide and this proved a little more useful.  I would suggest that, if you want to undertake this trail, prioritise enjoying the search and take your time explore the areas to find the fish.  After you have located a few of the fish, you know what you are looking for.  I was unsure to start with and you are standing right next to a large sculpture that has fish carved around the central column… was that what I needed to find? After a longer search, I found the anchovies and immediately picked up the vibe of the trail and roughly what I was looking for.

I was well on my way!

Getting Started

One of the things that I loved about this trail is the difference in the sculptures.  They are not identical, in material or style, but they are really appropriate to their location and the fish.  It is really well done.  The MONKfish is in front of BlackFRIAR, the Electric Eel is outside an electric substation and the shark is in front of the old bank building.  The artist had fun and you really get involved with that along the way.

A couple of hints to help you out:

• You are looking on the floor for all but five of the fish.

• The fish are generally facing the direction that you need to walk.

• A number of the fish are very small, I believe they are life sized depictions, so look carefully as you could easily miss them.

• Fish 35, 36 and 37 were a little confusing.  The description on the Visit Hull Guide state that they are near the George Hotel.  This is correct if you were say comparing it to Tower Bridge in London but it is misleading for the trail.  These three are down a back alley, not on a road.  Find them in the correct order, they are labelled if you are not a mariner, and follow the direction the fish are ‘swimming’.

The public works of art are by the sculptor Gordon Young who is famous for his pavement sculptures (including the comedy carpet in Blackpool).  This trail was launched in 1992 but all of the art stands up to time and they are visible.  The only disclaimer here is that if there are any public works happening in the area and the pavement is disturbed in the process, then it is unlikely that you will be able to access those particular fish.

I would recommend this tour of the city for wholesome fun.  It is free, so if the sun is shining then pop on your comfiest trainers, hit the streets and pick up an ice cream around the marina to celebrate your half way marker. Have a look and see what Hull has to offer!

• The Seven Seas Hull Fish Trail

• Hull’s Phone Boxes

• The Smallest Window in England

• A delicious cocktail on Humber Street

• Walk across the Humber Bridge

Kingston upon Hull, commonly shortened to Hull, is the 4th largest city in Yorkshire. A historic maritime city located on the River Hull where it meets the Humber Estuary, it was the UK City of Culture in 2017. Although many streets in the Old Town are cobbled, this city is not locked in the past and is a wonderful location for independent restaurants, bars and shops with two theatres and multiple live music venues. So if you find yourself in Hull to visit The Deep, catch a show or are waiting for a ferry to Rotterdam, here are 5 quirky reasons to have a good look around this city.

The Seven Seas Hull Fish Trail

This is such a wholesome couple of hours of fun that takes you all around the Old Town, the Marina and the Docklands that I have already written a whole blog post about it. Check it out here. A completely free 2.5 mile walk that you can take at your own pace and find some wonderful public art structures along the way.

Hull’s Phone Boxes

I think British Red Telephone Boxes are quite well known across the world. A symbol of Britain, prominent in our London Olympic 2012 Opening Ceremony and that are now becoming protected historical artefacts.

Well, did you know that Hull has cream Telephone Boxes? Identical in style but just cream in colour and with the Royal Crowns omitted. This is due to the fact that in 1904, Hull City Council set up its own phone network rather than being a part of the national network that was run by the Post Office. The boxes were painted cream to distinguish them.

In 2023, 20 of the cream phone boxes were given Grade II listed status to honour their history.

Bonus Historical British Icon

If you are seeking out the phone boxes then also keep an eye out for this beautiful VR Postbox. This is from Queen Victoria’s reign, so over 120 years old, and is in great condition.

The Smallest Window in England

This is cute little find if you are wandering around the Old Town of Hull. The smallest window in England! I don’t know what I expected to see but I have to say… I was a little surprised. It is just a sliver of glass between two bricks. The large plaque next to it is essential for locating it as it could easily be missed.

The purpose of this window was for the porter to observe carriages approaching the hotel and to be able to respond efficiently. A wonderful little slice of history.

A delicious cocktail on Humber Street

Humber Street is in the Marina area of Hull. A cobbled street lined with old Fruit Market buildings that have been renovated and transformed in to a wonderful street of Independent vendors.

Butler Whites is a wonderful restaurant with delicious food but there was a cocktail that is in my personal top 10 cocktails! If you like whiskey based cocktails and are also a fan of caramel and Baileys then you need to try the Whiskey Business Cocktail. This was a strong but sweet and creamy cocktail, definitely a favourite of mine.

Walk across the Humber Bridge

So this one isn’t quite in the centre of Hull but slightly out towards Hessle. The Humber Bridge, an iconic Suspension Bridge, is not exactly a hidden gem but have you ever walked over the bridge?

The bridge is 1.4 miles in length and has a secure pedestrian walkway safely distanced from the vehicles. If you want a long walk then it is approx. 5 miles from the city centre, so a walk out and back would be around 14 miles. If this is not for you then you can also catch a bus out to the bridge.

The views from the bridge of the Humber Estuary are expansive and if you get lovely weather then it is a gorgeous expanse of blue when you get to the middle. Standing almost a mile on to the bridge, you appreciate the engineering that allows this incredible structure, currently the 12th longest in the world, to stand.

When you arrive across the river, in North Lincolnshire, there is a wonderful cafe, The Old Tile Works Restaurant, where you can enjoy a delicious slice of cake and rehydrate before heading back.

• Street Art

• Museu do Dinheiro

• MAAT (The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) Viewpoint

• Lojas com Historia

• Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Street Art

^{Various locations}

The black and white cobblestone streets of Lisbon are iconic. There is a tight, steep and picturesque network of alleys through the beautifully tiled buildings of the old city. To then cover some of the scenery in street art could be considered an outrage. There is a fair amount of graffiti in Lisbon that unfortunately does spoil some of the architectural beauty of the area, but there is also the work of many incredible street artists exhibited along the sweeping blank canvas of perimeter walls. The talent of local artists is showcased with a diverse range of work, many with political or environmental messages. Lisbon is the perfect city for exploring on foot, I covered 56 miles in four days as I decided to say no to the public transport. Here are some of the amazing pieces of street art that I found along the way.

Museu do Dinheiro

^{Largo de São Julião, 1100-150 Lisbon, Portugal}

The Money Museum from the Bank of Portugal is a wonderfully interactive exhibition of money through the ages, and it is completely free to enter. There are 9 ‘rooms’ of displays and it takes approximately 60-90 minutes to visit. As you enter the building you are required to pass through airport-style security and then obtain a free ticket as, this will let you interact with some of the exhibits. A great opportunity to learn more about the world of money and the money of the world.

Money Museum

Banco de Portugal

www.museudodinheiro.pt/en

MAAT (The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) Viewpoint

^{Av. Brasília, 1300-598 Lisbon, Portugal}

The outdoor park of this exquisitely modern building was conceived by the landscape architect Vladimir Djurovik. A sweeping climb from the riverside path leads up to an extensive viewpoint that allows you to take in Ponte 25 de Abri, Cristo Rei, Belem and beyond. Definitely worth a visit if you are walking the River Tagus path to Belem.

MAAT

MAAT is where creativity, curiosity and inspiration come together. Explore the best contemporary art exhibitions and architecture in a stunning riverside location in Belém, Lisbon. Come visit us!

MAAT

Lojas com Historia

^{Various locations}

If you are walking around the streets of Lisbon, then you have the perfect opportunity to seek out Lojas com Historia. Identified shops, restaurants, bars and more are part of the history project to preserve and safeguard the establishments and their material, historical and cultural heritage.

These places tend to have traditional glass and metallic fronts with beautiful woodwork and original features. Inside, they are arranged with vintage tills and classic shop fittings.

Over 140 properties have been identified and proudly display the ‘Lojas com Historia’ signage on their front. A perfect opportunity to observe but also to contribute to the preservation of these historic businesses and help keep Lisbon’s cultural heritage alive.

Lojas Com História

Câmara Municipal de Lisboa

lojascomhistoria.pt

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

^{Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal}

The Monument to the Discoveries, designed by José Angelo Cottinelli Telmo, honours the Portuguese discoveries of the golden XV and XVI centuries. This dominant structure stands on the river’s edge in Belem. You can pay to enter the monument (it has a viewing platform), but to just view it and explore the harbour around it is free.

Monument to the Discoveries

O Padrão dos Descobrimentos tem por missão a gestão, salvaguarda e valorização do conjunto patrimonial: monumento e Rosa-dos-ventos. Incentiva a discussão em torno da temática do monumento enquanto testemunho da memória de uma identidade cultural e patrimonial indissociável da História da Expansão Portuguesa e da sua presença no Mundo.

Monument to the Discoveries

This is a photo story of Day 2 of The Organised Explorer's Monopoly Tour of London.

Check out this blog post for details of the route that these photos illustrate.

Bow Street

The step counters had been reset from Day 1 and we were ready for the final part of our adventure. The first destination was Bow Street, and the best opportunity to grab a shot of the street sign was on the side of the Royal Opera House.

Marlborough Street

The second stop was another anomaly within the board game. There is no Marlborough Street in reality, so to get to check off this orange square we used Great Marlborough Street. Following some research, it is thought that this location is what was intended for the board but that the name was added as simply Marlborough Street.

Vine Street

The final orange square was not far away but is probably the biggest disappointment of the whole route. There are a couple of Vine Street's in London but, due to it's proximity to the other Orange squares in the game, this one is widely believed to be the street that was intended to be used. A tiny little back street with no discernable features, it is believed that the creator used to walk past this street on his daily commute and so included it. It was a very quick stop for this one!

The Car

On route to the red properties, it was time to pick up another playing piece. The car that is used in the game is a roadster, so it had to be the MG dealership on Piccadilly. This location used to have the Roadster Cafe upstairs, but it looks to have closed. The showroom cars remain though and were perfect for checking off this stop.

Super Tax

It was then just a short walk to Strand for a visit to Coutts Bank for the Super Tax square. Coutts' describe themselves as a 'Private Banking and Wealth Management company' so they were perfect to check off 'Super Tax'.

Strand

It was then back to finding streets as we headed further down Strand. A grand total of 3/4 mile in length, Strand has numerous opportunities to photograph the sign. This was not far from The Savoy Theatre.

Fleet Street

We could have chosen anywhere to take the Strand photo as we needed to walk the full length for it to turn in to Fleet Street, and our next stop. There was a beautiful Tudor building that houses a stationers, so that was our choice of photo location. A wonderful slice of history in London.

Trafalgar Square

The final red location to visit was Trafalgar Square, so it was a jaunt back along Strand to get there. Trafalgar Square is always busy and, whilst there are quite a few street signs, the safest location for us to stop was the Canadian Embassy, beside the 4th plinth.

Fenchurch Street Station

The two remaining railway stations were next to be visited, as they are geographically very close. Fenchurch Street was first and although it is one of the smallest stations in London, it is one of the most intensively operated and hence its inclusion on the board.

Liverpool Street Station

It was then a bit of navigation through the back streets to get to Liverpool Street Station. The third busiest railway station in London, it didn't have the grand front that we had seen at Kings Cross, Marylebone and Fenchurch so we ventured inside to find a suitable sign.

Chance

The next stop was for Chance and as we were on our way to Leicester Square, the Hippodrome Casino was a perfect opportunity. The ultimate location for chance!

Leicester Square

A minute's walk and we were in the middle of Leicester Square. We spent a little longer at this location to take some fun photos with the statues in the square (Paddington Bear, Mary Poppins, Mr Bean, Harry Potter and many more).

Coventry Street

It was then just another short walk to Coventry Street. It appears from these photos that the most accessible street signs are all above food outlets!

Piccadilly

The final yellow location is a further minute's walk, and is Piccadilly. Another very busy location but this area just in front of The Trocadero's prancing horses was a good spot. The yellow locations can be completed very quickly as they are so close together.

The Top Hat

The final playing piece to be collected was the hat and this was one of my favourite finds on the route. On Jermyn Street, known for its tailors, there is a statue of Beau Brummell. The fashion figure of the Regency era, this statue is the perfect location to represent the hat.

Regent Street

With all of the pieces, railway stations, utilities and remaining squares accounted for, it was time to head for the green streets before the finale. Regent Street was first to be visited.

Oxford Street

We then literally turned around 180 degrees and took the photo for Oxford Street.

Bond Street

It was a short walk to Bond Street and another anomaly of the board game. There is no Bond Street, there is only a New Bond Street. It is located between Oxford Street and Park Lane so was definitely appropriate for this stop.

So with 41 locations under our belts, the final two squares were about a mile away. It was really nice on this final stretch to think about all of the locations that we had visited over the weekend. The areas of London that we have previously walked past but have never particularly noticed, the diverse boroughs of London with their architecture, communities and landmarks. We had travelled above ground, below ground, north of the river and south of the river and we had found something we all felt was an impossibility - free parking in London!

Park Lane

The streets around Park Lane in Mayfair had a feel of being as expensive as their rent on the board suggests. The sun was shining as we neared our final destination.

Mayfair

So to Mayfair, the last anomaly on the board! Mayfair is a borough of London and there is no street baring the exact same name. Therefore it was another short walk to reach Mayfair Place, the closest we could find in this luxurious borough.

This was a celebration photo - approximately 27 miles, over 70,000 steps clocked up per person and plenty of laughs along the way. We had toured London and seen the real life Monopoly board! There was even a red postbox to ensure that this was the most 'London moment' we would experience.

This is a photo story of Day 1 of The Organised Explorer's Monopoly Tour of London.

Check out this blog post for details of the route that these photos illustrate. Please take time to appreciate the incredibly British weather that was experienced over a single day in August!

The Boot

First things first, you need playing pieces to play Monopoly, so we needed to collect some. The first stop was therefore The Boot Pub in St. Pancras. The image used on this sign looks so like the little silver boot that moves around the board, I had to use this location.

The Boat

The second stop was another playing piece, the Boat. Personally, there was only one option for this and it was HMS Belfast on the River Thames.

The Wheelbarrow

Next it was on to a piece that I had forgotten about, the Wheelbarrow. This must have been lost out of our very old version of the game many years ago. After a bit of research, I found the pub 'The Barrowboy and Banker', so combining two ideas with one location we checked in with our Banker and collected £200!

The Iron

The final piece to collect before we could begin play was the Iron. This location took the most imagination: Would a launderette be suitable, or was there an iron sculpture that could be incorporated? After a bit of research I found the Flat Iron building near Borough Market.

Go

Now, with pieces to play with and cash in our pockets we headed to Go!

The perfect location to start the game was Lambeth North Underground Station. The reason... it is geographically half way between Mayfair and Old Kent Road, exactly as it sits on the board.

Old Kent Road

We all know the next location; it was on to Old Kent Road.

Free Parking

The next stop was the first board square that isn't a street or station- Free Parking. This location needed to be promoted from its normal order on the board, as it is such a rare thing in London. Free Parking was a real challenge to find and you need to head out from the centre towards the Old Kent Road area before it is even a remote possibility. So we head to Lidl on Massinger Street where you can park for 90 minutes without charge - Free Parking!

Whitechapel Road

The second street was Whitechapel Road.

Kings Cross

Then on to the first Railway Station, Kings Cross. This was a perfect stop for lunch as there are plenty of concession stands with choice for everyone.

Euston Road

Kings Cross Station is conveniently located on Euston Road, so you can check off two locations in one as the street sign is located on the station building.

The Angel, Islington

On to The Angel Islington. This location was a little tricky. Although it is a street on the board, there is no street in reality. The Angel, in Islington, was actually a pub that was frequented by the board developers and included for that reason. So we headed to the location of that pub. It is now a Co-Op Bank but the building is very impressive.

Pentonville Road

It was then across the street to Pentonville Road. One of the most conveniently located street signs and the only one at street level. Much easier for photos!

Just Visiting

The next location on the board is 'Just Visiting'. The only prison in central London is HMP Pentonville, so it was off there for a brief visit.

Pall Mall

Pall Mall was the next location, so we headed south.

Whitehall

The pink locations are all very conveniently next to each other, so within a couple of minutes we arrived at Whitehall. This location probably has the highest street sign placement (how inconvenient for photos!).

Northumberland Avenue

Northumberland Avenue is around the corner so we stopped there next.

Go To Jail

Whilst we were in the Whitehall area of London, we stopped by New Scotland Yard to 'Go to Jail'. This was another location where I was torn between a couple of ideas. Is a police station more appropriate, or the High Court? In reality, the Courts sentence you to prison, but the little picture of the police office blowing his whistle on the board made me decide to go with the famous spinning New Scotland Yard sign.

Income Tax

Again in the Whitehall area, Income Tax is able to be checked off with a visit to HM Revenue and Customs. We might have been the first people to choose to have our photo taken in front of this sign, but it is very conveniently located!

Community Chest

As my friend put it, 'this will be another weird photo' as we walked further around the building to take a photo for Community Chest. The Community Chest cards are usually financial and largely beneficial to the recipient. Therefore I chose the Department of Work and Pensions. We were probably the first people to choose to have our photo taken in front of this sign too.

Marylebone Station

After checking off these additional squares on our route, it was then a little journey out to the second Railway Station, Marylebone Station.

Electric Company

We next headed south of the River Thames for our final stops of the day. The two utilities, the Electric Company and Water Works, are able to be covered by two very appropriate locations near to each other.

The Electric Company was Battersea Power Station.

Water Works

Whilst the Water Works was the Thames Water Pumping Station.

The Dog

Then for the final stop of the day, another playing piece is able to be captured in Battersea Park. There is a Dog Statue located just outside the picturesque Old English Garden in the Park.

A long but very enjoyable day concluded with this little dog statue. We covered areas of North, East and South London and clocked up around 37000 steps, so it was off for a meal and drinks to celebrate and prepare for Day 2...

The London Monopoly board is iconic. Every Brit has sat around one at some point in their life and laughed, cried, argued and probably witnessed the board being launched across the room amid claims of cheating and foul play. Over the years the board has developed and been adapted to various franchises but the original 1930s layout remains strong and is known to all.

The idea to walk the real-life Monopoly board gave a couple of opportunities; the challenge of completing the route itself, and to explore London and see some areas that you wouldn't necessarily normally visit. With a total of 22 streets, 4 railway stations, 2 utilities plus the infamous jail, there was more than enough excuse to explore the capital.

As an avid researcher, I was very excited about planning this adventure. After marking each location out on a map, I realised that if you just tried to complete it on the hoof, this could turn in to miles and miles of frantic criss-crossed travel around the city for very little gain. I therefore got to work planning the most efficient route possible. I set myself the following game rules:

1. Collect all 7 playing pieces from the city.

2. Visit the Banker before passing Go!

3. Visit all streets from the London Monopoly board.

4. Visit all other squares from the London Monopoly board.

5. Squares with no physical location (for example 'Chance') should be interpreted creatively.

6. Where possible, squares should be visited in the order that they appear on the board.

7. Have fun and take photos of an appropriate street sign at each location.

The reason for visiting all streets in the order that they appear was to try and understand the reason for their groupings and pricing on the game board. The value of property in London has increased significantly since the 1930s, and it would be interesting to see whether the colour-grouped streets on the board still have anything in common, and if their respective rent values reflect their standing today.

The playing pieces, Chance, Community Chest and various tax squares allowed for some original ideas to be incorporated. The main consideration was the location of appropriate ideas. Anything significantly out of the way would be timely to reach so was not necessarily suitable. A location shouldn't just be chosen because it was nearby though as that isn't in the spirit of the challenge. With the only prize on offer for completion being a sense of personal achievement, you might as well aim for the best locations over speed.

I set about searching for the best locations and the best route between all of these and the named streets to complete the adventure in a respectable time. This took many, many hours and days but I assembled a succinct route that would be split over two days. Covering approximately 27 miles, this could be achieved in a summer's day (you would need the light of a long day) for a keen walker, but it would be much more comfortable and enjoyable to split across a weekend. Check out the documents below to see the route and the locations I used.

If you are considering walking the Monopoly board, I would definitely recommend it.

Don't forget:

• A good pair of walking shoes.

• A contactless card, Oyster card or day travel pass for use on TFL services.

• Energy boosts for the route (sweets are my personal choice).

• A good sense of humour.

• An amazing group of loved ones to enjoy it with.

Walking just under 30 miles in two days is tiring but it is a great challenge to complete and definitely worth the effort.

Check out this blog post series for a photo story of the tour!

Flights to Greenland are from either Iceland or Denmark and you can only fly to Kangerlussuaq. This sole international airport has just two gates and one runway, the baggage carousel is wonderfully cute, and there is no immigration desk as it is all dealt with prior to departure. It is a refreshingly easy arrival in a new land. Air Greenland’s fleet consists of one Airbus 330 for their services to Reykjavik and Copenhagen, numerous smaller Dash 8s and a variety of helicopters. The 37-seater Dash 8s became very familiar to me as I travelled around. The Flight Attendants work so hard and complimentary drinks and biscuits are provided on every journey.

To give some insight in to how the conditions affect the transport around the island, here is a summary of the flights that I took and what I experienced:

Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq

Really smooth flight and all ran to schedule.

Total journey time: 4 hours 40 minutes

Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat

Flight departed on time and was due to be 45 minutes. The visibility over Ilulissat was too poor to land, we circled for 20 minutes before having to turn back to Kangerlussuaq for re-fuelling. Staff explained that we would wait for the cloud to shift and that the next attempt should work. After 30 minutes wait, the flight resumed and with approximately 5 minutes of circling, successfully landed. The snow was thick, but the landing was so smooth.

Total journey time: 4 hours

Ilulissat to Nuuk

The wind was incredibly strong on the day that I was due to fly, uncharacteristic to the weather I had experienced during my stay. The plane that I was to catch had not arrived due to this, for the 1 hour 25-minute flight. There was a 3 ½ hour delay before the plane arrived and I was able to board. Due to the delay, other flights had to be combined and therefore the flight called in at Aasiaat before taking off again and finally landing in Nuuk.

Total journey time: 6 hours

Nuuk to Kangerlussuaq

Really smooth flight and all ran to schedule.

Total journey time: 55 minutes

Kangerlussuaq to Copenhagen

The Airbus 330’s door developed a fault and was taken out of service the day before I was due to fly. Air Greenland had to organise a replacement plane which resulted in a 24 hour delay for all transport in and out of Greenland. They arranged food and accommodation in the attached hotel for all those delayed. The re-scheduled flight flew to schedule but those are the trials of only having one Airbus 330 in your fleet.

Total journey time: 24 hours

3/5 of my flights experienced disruption due to the extreme climate and small fleet but these delays only go to demonstrate how fluid you have to be with your plans in Greenland. I built in a contingency day at the end of the adventure as I had read about the challenges that are faced in the Arctic climate.

Definitely use Air Greenland, they provide an excellent level of service and they take you to see some exquisite areas that you can simply not see easily in any other way.

• Travel: Where should you visit in Greenland?

• Weather: It is cold… but not as cold as you would think.

• Transport: How can you get around?

• Food: What is Greenlandic cuisine?

• Accommodation: What accommodation is available?

• Information: What else do you need to know?

Travel: Where should you visit in Greenland?

The most famous area of Greenland is Ilulissat and I know from my research that this is the most recommended place to visit. The beautiful town in the Arctic Circle that borders Disko Bay is your first stop for icebergs and a chance to see a Glacier. Tourism in Greenland is slowly emerging and Ilulissat is definitely the hotspot. I fully recommend visiting Ilulissat, it is a picturesque destination with a wealth of activities on offer across the stunning landscape.

One common factor that kept coming up in my research was people only recommending Ilulissat, and even going as far as saying not to bother with anywhere else. That is never true for any country, and I was keen to see a number of areas to get a better feel of the country. With this in mind, I visited Nuuk, the Capital, and Kangerlussuaq.

Nuuk is the most northernly capital city in the world but due to Greenland being a Constituent Country of Denmark, it doesn’t fall into the definition that allows this to be reported. It is further north than Reykjavik but Greenland is not considered a sovereign state. Nuuk has beauty and history, with statues, a Cathedral, and an Arts Centre. It also has a shopping centre; I don’t know why but I was absolutely thrown by the sight of an escalator in Greenland.

Kangerlussuaq is the gateway to Greenland as has the only commercial international airport. Check out this blog post for more information about travelling around!

The airport contains a hotel, restaurant, and Tourist Information Office with a gift shop. Many think this is all that the town has to offer because it is such a big facility, but again the there is so much more. The town is a major access point to the Russel Glacier Ice Sheet, and there is a museum, harbour, and lots of interesting walking routes.

So, to summarise, definitely visit Ilulissat but also consider visiting some other towns - there is so much more to see.

Weather: It is cold… but not as cold as you would think.

I have struggled to word this thought… it sounds crazy, but it really is true. I visited Greenland in April and the temperature was on average -10°C. There was thick snow all over the ground and the coldest night I experienced was camping on the Ice Sheet where it dropped to -24°C. There is no doubt that this is cold, but I felt so much colder at 0°C in Copenhagen. The difference is that Greenland was a very dry cold; there was extraordinarily little wind, the sky was either beautifully clear or thick with snow clouds, but I always felt that it was a very still environment. Even when it snowed, it floated down like in the films.

Although it was cold, with the right clothes it was quite comfortable to be out in. I invested in good quality clothing before travelling, and this was the key; a good set of thermals, a down-filled jacket and fleece lined walking trousers made sure that I could enjoy being outside and focus on everything except the temperature. I think I would have felt significantly colder if not for having the right kit. So do not be deterred by the thought of Greenland being a harsh environment, it is so much more than that.

Transport: How can you get around?

The roads in Greenland exist only for getting around within the small towns, there is no road network that connects across the country. There is also no train network and no internal waterway. This means that the options for travelling further afield are limited to water or air. The two commercial modes of transport available are the Sarfaq Ittuk coastal ferry, or Air Greenland. The coastal ferry timetable is less regular, slower and unfortunately didn’t fit to mine, so I used Air Greenland.

Check out this blog post about how I travelled around!

There are buses and taxis to move around the towns, but I walked everywhere to see as much of the country as I could.

Food: What is Greenlandic cuisine?

The main thing that I remember about Greenlandic food is that the portions were huge. I was incredibly grateful for this as I did a lot of walking each day and with the lower temperatures, the large servings were very welcome. The food is mostly frozen and imported via Denmark. There is a good availability of vegetables, but they are usually frozen as fresh produce is scarce. Meat and fish are their speciality and there is good quality meat available in all restaurants. There is an excellent selection of eateries though and I ate very well.

The food is surprisingly varied; I ate at an American style bar, a Chinese Café, a Sri Lankan restaurant… in Nuuk, I ordered pizza to be delivered to my accommodation on the iPad. Unfortunately, I don’t speak Greenlandic and the translation tool was weak, so I didn’t have a clue what would arrive. Luckily it turned out to be vegetarian, which was delicious after a day of exploring.

Accommodation: What accommodation is available?

When looking up accommodation on booking websites, the first offerings are as always hotels, and my first reaction was that these were incredibly expensive. The cost per night was equivalent to accommodation in central Tokyo, but the standard of the rooms and facilities that I was looking at was equivalent to British budget hotels. The offer looked genuinely nice, but I could not justify spending that amount of money at the expense of a potential activity whilst I was there.

I instead started to look in to self-catering accommodation and (as always) the costs were much lower. On my trip I stayed in a cabin, a room within a shared house, and a room in a lodge. All of them were extremely basic by modern standards (they did have WiFi) but were toasty warm and perfect for what I needed. Five-star luxury has its place, but for me the beauty of Greenland is outside, and the accommodation is simply a safe, warm place to sleep at night.

Information: What else do you need to know?

One thing I would definitely recommend is that when planning, keep the timescales fluid. I did a lot of research when planning my adventure and one of the main things that I picked up from other people’s accounts was that the weather is in charge of everything. Internal flights are regularly delayed or cancelled due to the weather, and this is just part of the Greenlandic experience. As I have said before, Air Greenland pilots do an amazing job of flying in one of the most challenging environments, but they ensure safety by turning back when necessary and temporarily landing at a different airport if required. This can add unexpected time to your journeys, so build that into your plans. I ensured that I had nothing else planned on all of my flight days, allowing for any potential delays to not impact on my plans.

Another reason to keep timescales fluid is because that is very much the culture of Greenland. I mentioned earlier that tourism in Greenland is slowly emerging, and as such the shops and eateries do not stick to standard times. This is sometimes due to the weather and the safety of the staff, but the pace of life is also very relaxed. In the shared house in Nuuk, I met a Danish Nurse who was completing a 6 month placement in a care home. She explained that in Greenland, when people have worked enough to get the money that they personally need for that month, they will often turn down any other hours that are available and take the time off with their families. This means that some shops and eateries don’t always open. In Kangerlussuaq, I was on a hike that started near the museum so thought I could pop in. The museum had a sign on the door saying that it was closed until September (this was April). I would recommend having more ideas and activities planned than you will have time for, just in case something isn’t available when you hope it to be.

• Spectacular frozen landscapes

• Wonderful Wildlife

• You can see a plane wreck

• You can post a letter to Santa

• You never know what you will find...

Spectacular Frozen Landscapes

These photos speak for themselves. This is the Nalluarsuk, approximately 12 miles from Ilulissat. This glorious spectacle is frozen sea ice, and only accessible in the winter months. To get to see these views, I was standing a mile out on to the ice, that would return to being sea in the coming summer months. Amazing and unique frozen worlds are formed each year and you really have an incredible opportunity to see them.

Wonderful Wildlife

Greenland’s wildlife uses the space of the world’s largest island to their advantage. As a rule, they avoid the areas of civilisation, but they do stray close, and it is these opportunities that allow you to see some wonderful creatures in their natural habitat. I saw Musk Ox, Reindeer and Arctic Hares, check out this blog post to see where I saw the most wildlife.

Polar bears mainly reside north of Ilulissat, comfortably in the arctic circle and down the east coast. They avoid civilisation but every now and again, they do stray in to find food. After returning from a day hike in Kangerlussuaq, I was speaking to a local who casually mentioned that the day before had been the first Polar Bear sighting in 7 years, and it was in the hills from which I had just returned. I am still in the cold sweat that I felt hearing that news.

I found this information really helpful as part of my research, including how to keep safe and treat wildlife with respect.

Frequently Asked Questions - Visit Greenland

We have compiled useful information and good advise for your visit in Greenland in our list of Frequently Asked Questions. We also encourage you to get in

Visit Greenland

You can see a plane wreck

This is not as morbid as it sounds and first things first, all of the pilots survived and ejected prior to impact. There are the remains of three Lockhead T-33 fighter jets that crashed in 1968 by the roadside near Kangerlussuaq. Strewn across the hillside, the wreckage is remarkably well preserved considering it has been exposed to the elements for over 50 years.

You can post a letter to Santa

This very large post box is available all year round for children of all ages to post their letter to Santa.

You never know what you will find...

One of my lasting memories of Greenland are some of the completely random things that I never expected to see on such a remote largely uninhabited island.

When hiking up a hill in Kangerlussuaq, I came across an abandoned shopping trolley. Normally this sort of fly tipping would be distressing but there was no other litter around, it was simply an abandoned trolley. The strangest thing was that I didn’t see any trolleys anywhere else… none at the shops or airports… where did it come from, almost 6 miles from civilisation resting on 2ft of snow? The approach that was taken on this discovery was mature as you can see…

Finding a single copy of a Baywatch (2017 film) DVD for sale in a food shop in Ilulissat but seeing no other DVDs (or players) in any accommodation or shops during our stay.

Seeing two people standing on a corner, handing out religious leaflets from a rack that they had dragged through the snow in -10°C.

Greenland is vast with a challenging climate but in every community, there is still the same wonderfully vibrant life that you find everywhere else in the world.

• Nightjar

• Downstairs at Swift

• The Discount Suit Company

• Evans & Peel Detective Agency

• Purl London

Nightjar

^{129 City Rd, Shoreditch, London EC1V 1JB}

If you are looking for superbly crafted, visually exciting cocktails then Nightjar needs to be on your list. This Shoreditch gem has a comfortable and calm atmosphere, the menu is broad, and the décor is wonderfully old-school glamour.

Book in advance as the subterranean venue is small and table service only.

Nightjar | Reviving cocktails, vintage spirits, and classic jazz in Shoreditch

Experience Nightjar's renowned reputation for breathing new life into cocktails, explore our bar's extensive spirit list, including vintage options, along with delectable snacks. Enjoy the best vintage jazz, blues, ragtime, and swing in Shoreditch, East London. Visit us where you'll receive a warm w

Nightjar

Downstairs at Swift

^{12 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4TQ}

Nestled below Swift in the heart of Soho, this classic look Speakeasy is definitely worth a visit. The booths are comfy, the low lighting is moody, and the cocktails are delicious. The seating area is compact, so it is definitely worth booking but this is a chic Speakeasy, and the standard of the drinks lives up to the image.

What's on the cocktail menu for Swift Borough? | Bar Swift

Find all the menus for Swift Borough here, including the Upstairs Bar Menu and the Back Pocket Menu.

Bar Swift

The Discount Suit Company

^{29A Wentworth St, Spitalfields, London E1 7TB}

By day, you would be unaware that the former tailor’s basement stockroom is a vibrant Speakeasy serving an excellent range of cocktails. By night, it is quite obvious due to extremely visible SIA badge on the man working the door. This is a popular and busy establishment, there is seating and standing space available.

The atmosphere is fun, and the staff are really friendly. Definitely check this out.

Discount Suit Company Cocktail Bar London

Independent cocktail bar in London, moments from Spitalfields Market and Liverpool Street station. Also in close walking distance of Bricklane and Shoreditch.

-

Evans & Peel Detective Agency

^{310c Earls Ct Rd, Earl's Court, London SW5 9BA}

The USP for Evans & Peel is the entrance. Descending the stairs to the 1920s-style Private Investigator’s office, you are light-heartedly quizzed about your reason for wanting to enter. After persuading the PI that you are legitimate in your reasons, you are permitted to enter the bar. Behind this banter is a nicely sized bar with a good cocktail menu.

It has not been too busy when I have visited but the atmosphere was suitably relaxed.

Evans & Peel Detective Agency | Solve the Mystery Today

Explore Evans & Peel Detective Agency in Chelsea, London, where no case is too big or small. Book your adventure now and unveil our famous secret.

Evans & Peel Detective Agency

Purl London

^{50-54 Blandford St, Marylebone, London W1U 7HX}

This Speakeasy is a beautifully designed warren, with cubbyholes and nooks at every turn. The décor is stylish, and the seating arrangements allow for a very personal feel to your visit. The cocktail menu is extensive and inventive – if you want to drink an espresso-based cocktail out of a tiny porcelain toilet, this is the place for you. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable which makes for a really comfortable environment.

Book in advance as this is a popular choice.

Purl London🍸

@purllondon

Instagram

Does this beautiful row of houses in the heart of the Cotswolds look familiar? This is Arlington Row, with its original Grade 1 listed 14th century buildings nestled in the sleepy village of Bibury, Gloucestershire. Strolling along in front of the cottages, I felt like I had walked into an episode of Miss Marple. The whole village has a wonderfully peaceful vibe that makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Whilst this has been used as a filming location over the years, its starring role has been on the inside cover of every UK passport issued between 2010 and 2020. The little embossed picture in the bottom left corner of the cardboard cover does not do the properties justice, but it has encouraged a lot of tourism to this area over the last decade.

As you approach from the footpath, you immediately know that you are in the right place, but the view does not quite add up. If you then walk to the other end of the cottages, the image looks closer, but it is still not quite right. This is because the cheeky people at the passport office have flipped the photo! To snap the perfect passport pic, you need to take it from the right-hand side (when facing the front of the cottages) and then flip the photo 180 degrees.

A little opportunity to step into your passport!

Arlington Row in Bibury - Everything you need to know

Arlington row, a row of impossibly picturesque cottages in Bibury, Gloucestershire

Bibury website

Throughout the 2020-2021 lockdowns in the UK, I have listened to a lot of podcasts. A particularly great one is ‘Off Menu’ with James Acaster and Ed Gamble. The concept is that the guest is attending a magical restaurant where a Genie will serve their dream meal, so all you have to do is choose your favourite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink. There are no further rules, you could choose pizza for all four if you really wanted to.

So here is my ‘Off Menu’…

Bread

Firstly, when bread is on the table, I am a happy girl. The ultimate bread is Honey Wheat from The Cheesecake Factory. No other Honey Wheat has met this bar yet even though I have sampled thoroughly.

The Cheesecake Factory

Over 250 menu items, freshly prepared and from scratch, to order, every day. Over 30 legendary cheesecakes and desserts. There's something for everyone! Order online today!

www.thecheesecakefactory.com

Starter

Tiropita. This is a cheesy egg filling encased in filo pastry. Whilst ravenous from the flight to Athens, I devoured a spinach one of these at the airport and did not look back. It is delicious! I had a few from various eateries during my visit to Athens, and every one of them was heavenly, I am therefore just going to say a non-specific Tiropita from Athens. My tummy is already starting to rumble, and we are only on the starter!

Main

Sirloin Steak (medium) with beef dripping chips and roast carrots in a maple glaze from FX Buckley in Dublin. I had never really enjoyed steaks prior to eating at FX Buckley, I was always a bit overwhelmed by the different cuts and the fact that you have to instruct the chef how you would like it cooked, and just avoided. This was a special occasion though and oh, it was absolutely delightful. The whole restaurant is designed to help you learn more about what you are eating and where your food comes from. Every part of the meal was wonderful, the maple glazed carrots were a particular favourite, and I did leave as a convert to steak meals.

F.X. Buckley, Crow Street | Buckley Collection

Our second restaurant, but not second to any! Our Crow Street Steakhouse is right in the heart of Dublin's vibrant Temple Bar area.

Buckley Collection

Side

Aberdeen Butteries from a little bakery in Aboyne, Scotland. We used to visit family in the Highlands every summer when I was growing up and we always stopped off in Aboyne to pick up a car full of these buttery treats. They are like a compacted croissant and absolutely scrummy when heated in the oven and smothered in jam.

Dessert

Dutch Apple Pie from Winkle 43, Amsterdam. This one took literally no time to be added to the list. I would walk back to Amsterdam to get another slice of this pie. Everything about it is perfect, the crust, the filling, the cream… I spent four days in Amsterdam and only visited here on day two, I visited again before I left and since I got home, I really regret not having bought several other pies back with me!

Winkel 43: Famous Apple Pie Café at Noordermarkt, Amsterdam

Visit Winkel 43 in Amsterdam’s Jordaan for the famous apple pie, lunch, drinks or dinner. A classic café with a sunny terrace at Noordermarkt.

www.winkel43.nl/en

Drink

This is where I exploit the subclause of there are no rules: I am choosing a soft drink, alcoholic drink and after dinner drink!

Starting with soft drink; Dr Pepper. I wish everywhere had this as readily available as Coca Cola and Pepsi.

Alcoholic drink; Toronto cocktail from Nightjar, London. This is such a great speakeasy in Shoreditch and the cocktails are expertly mixed with an extravagant flair. The Toronto is a bourbon-based cocktail with coffee and pecan maple syrup topped with a candy floss stick. Fabulous! You also get a pack of playing cards, a great way to take the menu home.

Nightjar | Reviving cocktails, vintage spirits, and classic jazz in Shoreditch

Experience Nightjar's renowned reputation for breathing new life into cocktails, explore our bar's extensive spirit list, including vintage options, along with delectable snacks. Enjoy the best vintage jazz, blues, ragtime, and swing in Shoreditch, East London. Visit us where you'll receive a warm w

Nightjar

After dinner drink: Tea. English Breakfast tea is my lifeblood and the answer for me is always tea. I am really not fussy about where I get my tea from but for this task, I have chosen to have it at The Breakfast Club. The reason is simple, they serve it in awesome mugs. So, I will have tea with milk, no sugar in a Zippy from Rainbow mug please.

The Breakfast Club Cafes

The Breakfast Club

It was hard to narrow down my choices from so many wonderful eateries and if you ask me in a week, I will probably want to add new ideas to the pot. What would your dream menu be?

1. Everywhere is so photogenic

2. Riads are fantastic accommodation

3. There is quite a bit of wildlife for a city

4. The food

5. Street Art and tree carvings

Everywhere is so photogenic

The Red City is beautifully picturesque. From the breakfast crockery to the evening sunset and everything that you see in between, this city is wonderfully photogenic. I loved all of the mosaic floor and wall tiles, the rustic red stone of so many historic buildings, the palm trees and cacti that lined the roads and the views from the rooftop cafes. Just wandering through the streets is hours of fun for any photographers.

Riads are fantastic accommodation

In keeping with the photogenic theme, Riads are beautiful accommodation. These traditional Moroccan townhouses are built around a courtyard and usually have a water feature (fountain or pool) and lots of plants. I stayed at the Riad Dar El Assafir and it was very peaceful. The décor is beautifully traditional, the rooms are spacious and cool (from the Moroccan heat) and the breakfast is served in the picturesque courtyard. I do love the freedom of hotels (24-hour reception etc.) but a Riad gives you a real feel of Moroccan hospitality in a traditional setting.

There is quite a bit of wildlife for a city

There are lots of street cats in Marrakesh. The Riad had a regular visitor who came to say hello every morning and I passed many more as I walked around the streets of the Medina. It was only after a day or two that I noticed that many of the cats live in the trees (especially if they have kittens) as a way of sheltering from the heat and staying away from the hustle of the pavements.

The El Badii Palace is a stunning ruin located in central Marrakesh and houses some incredibly special wildlife. The storks that live on the palace walls are protected by law. The Berbers used to believe that the storks would transform into humans and so treated them as holy animals, to this day anyone who disturbs a stork faces a jail sentence. Slightly less obvious wildlife hides a little lower down in the Palace. Hidden within the old pools, that now grow bushes, were tortoises. Peacefully making their way through the foliage, there were many of them living there. It was lovely to see and photograph these creatures living free within the city.

The food

There are so many cafes and restaurants in Marrakesh that I barely brushed the surface in four days. Rooftop seating areas are really popular in most eateries and these allow for great views whilst you enjoy the delicious food. I saw two fantastic sunsets from the rooftops, it is a great photo opportunity. As a general rule, the food is very reasonably priced, and the portions are big! One of the best places that I visited was Café Kif Kif. The menu was nicely varied, the staff were very friendly and there was a relaxed atmosphere. The Chicken Tagine was delicious. The Clock Café I can also recommend, for non-vegetarians the menu includes Camel meat. Normally walking around in the heat can make me lose my appetite and just crave drinks and ice cream but the quality of the food made me look forward to each meal.

Street Art and tree carvings

Walking around the streets of Marrakesh allows you to not only take in the rustic red stone of the historic buildings but also the wealth of street art that is on offer. The 30ft murals or the carved trees that line Avenue Mohammed V, there is plenty of art on offer.

Anyone who has seen Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s forbidden love story has surely conjured an image of the city of Casablanca. Black and white misty shots had certainly created a picture in my mind but, after looking the film up a couple of years ago, I discovered it had been filmed in Burbank, California. Not one shot was filmed in Morocco! Well this fact sparked my curiosity for what this city is really like.

The largest city in Morocco with a port on the Atlantic Ocean are fairly well known facts, but what else does this city hold? This is such an important question when planning travel, as it really does drive the question of how long you need to stay in a place to do it justice. I already knew that I wanted to be based in Marrakech for my adventures and with only 4 nights in Morocco, could I also include a visit to Casablanca? Well the brief answer is ‘Yes’- it is incredibly easy to fit it into, with the caveat that it is a long day.

The Moroccan train system is excellent. The trains are spacious, comfortable and clean, and from my experience, run efficiently and on time. The stations in both cities were modern and well-lit with excellent amenities available throughout the day. Following a little research, I found that most people recommended travelling first class. The price difference was a few Dirham more (120 Dir compared to 87 Dir) but the additional comfort makes it worthwhile. I followed this advice and would absolutely agree, all carriages are divided in to compartments and in first class there are six comfortable, large seats in each. When walking past the second class compartments, the setup is identical, just with basic, firmer seats. As the journey between Marrakech and Casablanca is 2 hours 38 mins, it is worth treating yourself to that extra bit of comfort.

I mentioned that it was a long day… well it started with catching the 05:50 service. This is the perfect time for a nap, ahead of the train pulling in to Casablanca Voyageurs at 08:28. After 2 days in The Red City, I emerged to a quite a familiar sight; there were many white buildings in Casablanca but the look and feel of the city is very familiar to most cities in the world; blocks of flats, office buildings and shops all lining the city roads; Trams run down one lane of the road and cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings are frequent sights. Now don’t get me wrong, it does have a Moroccan touch, but the city it is very much the central business district that you see all around the world.

After a breakfast stop in the station eateries, it was a 1.6 mile walk across the city to the Hassan II Mosque. This is the second largest Mosque in the world (the largest is in Mecca) covering an area of 2 hectares. The minaret is the tallest in the world at 210m. To put the size of this in to perspective, there is room for 25,000 worshippers inside the mosque and 80,000 worshippers outside in the grounds. I had seen a few pictures of it before travelling and it looked impressive. After viewing it in person, I can simply describe it as stunning. It is genuinely one of the most remarkable, striking and lavish buildings that I have ever seen. The marble is gorgeous, the carvings are intricate and doors are majestic.

There is a tour available and we booked on to the 11:00 when we arrived (shoulders and knees need to be covered and you are asked to remove your shoes on entry). The tour is fascinating and allows you to see the prayer room, hall of the minaret and the ablution room. The transitions between these rooms is an equally important part of the tour with the staircases and hallways designed to the same exceptionally high standard as the rooms. The guides are very informative but they also allow for free time in the rooms to have a walk around and take as many photos as you wish. It was a very relaxed tour that took about an hour.

I described the Mosque as stunning and the tour guide gave an insight in to the cost of this. King Hassan II envisaged the phenomenal structure in the 1980s and in 1986 the construction began. To build this masterpiece, 1400 men worked during the day and 1100 men would work during the night… for 7 years. In addition to this, a further 10,000 craftsmen and artists across Morocco were working on the interiors. The ceiling in the prayer room is retractable but the decoration is hand painted and hand carved. The skill and effort that must have gone in to that creation alone is exceptional, yet that is replicated on every surface all over the site. One of the tour party asked about the cost of this, as you could see us all mentally calculating the price of 25,000 men over 24 hours a day for 7 years. The answer was that officially it cost €585 million, but that it is privately believed to have been nearly three times that cost. An incredible price, but you can absolutely see where the money has been spent and every inch of the site from the floor to the ceilings, the walls to the fittings is exquisite.

“Of All the Gin Joints in All the Towns in All the World…” After finishing the tour and walking the site for photo opportunities, of which there are plenty, it was on to our lunch stop. Rick’s Café from the film may have been a production set in Burbank but a Rick’s Café in honour of the film has been opened just around the corner from Hassan II Mosque. Its popularity meant we had to book a couple of days in advance to secure a table, and arriving at our 13:00 reservation found the ‘Joint’ pleasingly full.

Walking in to the restaurant is like walking in to the film. The décor is elegant, the staff are attentive and the food is delicious. Morocco only permits the sale of alcohol in licenced hotels and bars so, as there was an opportunity to have a drink we sampled the cocktail menu. I can recommend the house Sour Jdid and their Martini, both were mixed to perfection.

To enhance the feel of the restaurant, there is grand piano nestled close to the bar. There are performances in the evening but for the lunchtime audience it was just about the classic look. There is a small gift shop at the desk to take away a souvenir and you can keep the menus as a memento. Even if you have never seen the Warner Bros classic, this is a lovely quality restaurant.

So we exited out of Rick’s at just before 15:00 and walked around by the Port before heading back through the Old Medina. The walk back to the train station is approximately one hour if walking at pace, which we did earlier in the day, so we took this opportunity to take more time on the return to explore and take in some photo opportunities. We coincided with students’ finishing school so the area did get busy, but it was quite a different view of the city from the morning we spent at the Mosque. Dilapidated flats and weather-worn shop fronts line the Old Medina’s streets, creating a characterful place with street art and bustling stalls.

After working our way through the labyrinth of streets (we did circle around a few times unintentionally), the route back takes us past the Cathedrale du Sacre Coeuer. Dazzling white, the Cathedral is sadly no longer used and there is no access. There are however photo opportunities around the perimeter of the site and you still get to take in this beautiful building.

Arriving back at the train station, a little early for our 17:35 departure, we took time for some refreshments before heading back to Marrakech. The train at this time was much busier than our early morning journey. Arriving back at 20:14, it had been a busy and long day but it is definitely the best option to allow you to visit Casablanca.

So you have a weekend in Paris but you have already visited the Eiffel Tower and you have seen the Cathedrale Notre-Dame, the Sacre-Coeur has been photographed and you know all about the Moulin Rouge. Are you looking for something smaller, something that most people will walk past and barely notice? It isn’t often that you can be in a city and feel as though you have space. Paris in particular can be so busy around the main tourist attractions that the concept of some tucked away charms right next to the hustle and bustle seems unlikely.

I have visited Paris a few times so when preparing for my latest visit, I was keen to find something different. Heading to the capital in the summer, I wanted to try and break away from the crowds and see what else this city holds. Here are five gems that are off the tourist trail:

1. Jardin de la Nouvelle France

2. Lavomatic

3. Oscar Wilde’s Grave

4. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

5. Observatoire Panoramique de la Tour Montparnasse

Jardin de la Nouvelle France

This is one of my favourite finds in a city. This enchanting little garden is just off the Champs-Elysees, arguably one of the busiest areas of Paris. The joy is that it feels like you are discovering a secret garden as, perfectly camouflaged from the street, you descend the stone steps and head through a cobbled arch. The garden is small but it is peaceful. A perfect destination to escape to for a picnic lunch or to take a book and just have half an hour to yourself. The beauty lies in the garden’s foliage, luscious greens all around you, and in the sculpture The Dream of the Poet by Alphonse de Moncel. This grand monument is perfectly hidden in this garden and makes for a wonderful back drop if you settle down on the little patch of grass in front and take five minutes out of the busy city world.

Click here to find this secret garden.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Google Maps

Lavomatic

I do love a speakeasy and whilst walking down Rue René Boulanger after a full day, I was particularly excited about this one as it was truly hidden. Sure enough, I arrive at number 30 and it is a laundrette. It is 9pm but upon entering, two of the machines on the right are in full motion. It is the dryer directly ahead though that I head toward and sure enough, as I pull the door of the ‘machine’ the wall panel comes with it. I love this part of discovering a speakeasy, to my mind if they have put this much effort in to making this initial experience exciting then they surely will have put full effort in to everything else. Lavomatic certainly have, the climb to the bar is a dark staircase with neon painted walls, the décor of the bar is kooky with Brillo block seats and even a swing in the corner and the cocktails are excellent. The atmosphere is friendly and the staff are very helpful so it is a lovely place to enjoy a delicious cocktail or two.

LAVOMATIC

30 rue René Boulanger 75010 Paris

lavomatic

Oscar Wilde’s Grave

Oscar Wilde passed away prematurely at the age of 42 in Paris and his final resting place is Père Lachaise Cemetery, the largest in Paris. Now a cemetery may not be everyone’s idea of a ‘holiday activity’ but it isn’t out of morbid interest that I visit. The history of an area intrigues me and seeing the names, dates and epitaphs tells you a great deal about the village, town or city you are in. Père Lachaise Cemetery has a number of famous figures buried within its walls (Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Marcel Marceau to name a few).

Sadly a large number of the graves have had to have plastic shields installed to protect them from damage. This is generally from fans who leave personalised messages, lipstick kisses or gifts stuck to the graves in loving memory. Actions mostly intended with love but it does mean that they have had to be shielded from the public. It is still a fascinating and peaceful place to stroll through to learn about all those who lived in Paris throughout history.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Google Maps

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

At 25 hectares, this Park is big enough for everyone. On my visit, it was so wonderfully relaxed and spacious that it was the perfect escape from the crowds. It is also a fantastically picturesque park with views over Montmart, a lake, suspension bridge and a hidden waterfall. I had spotted a random picture of the waterfall in my research and thought that it looked interesting but I was really pleased that one random photo lead me to this wonderful park. The cascade is concealed within the artificial cave in the hilly setting at the centre of the lake. From there you can climb to the viewpoint at the top and make your way along the suspension bridge for further views of Paris. It is approximately a 30 minute walk out from the centre of the city but on a sunny day with a picnic lunch it is definitely worth it.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Google Maps

Observatoire Panoramique de la Tour Montparnasse

Now this recommendation really goes against my opening statement that these Parisian gems are off the tourist trail. After all this is a tourist attraction, unlike the other four suggestions that are equally for locals and visitors, Tour Montparnasse opens its rooftop observatory to attract visitors. I justify its inclusion with the explanation that it is not as crowded. It is approximately a 45 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, so outside of the main tourist attractions. The view makes the walk or metro journey worth it. With up to 25 mile visibility on a clear day, you can see all of Paris’ attractions from a new perspective. My favourite part of observation decks is taking in the city as a whole, as someone who enjoys walking around cities you really do gain a perspective on how the city fits together. Definitely worth the entrance fee to see Paris from above.

Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck

Come and enjoy the very best view of Paris! The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck offers you a panoramic visit of Paris, its monuments and districts.

Observatoire Panoramique de la Tour Montparnasse

Visiting a museum in Amsterdam is not unusual. Some of the most famous museums in the world are in the city centre, namely the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and the queues to get in to these will regularly trail around the block. Whilst these are fascinating establishments and definitely worthy of a visit, I wanted to delve in to the hidden areas of this eclectic city to see what wonders it may hold. I didn’t need to look much further after discovering Electric Ladyland – Museum of Fluorescent Art during my research, and I certainly didn’t regret it.

A small, unassuming shop front tucked away in a quieter side street of Jordaan, this wonderland is where I spent one of the most engaging and yet surreal hours of my life. The compact location determines that visitors need to book in advance, and I would certainly recommend it as with only 10-12 places on each tour, slots can fill up quickly. Instructed via the booking email to arrive at a very specific time, I stepped in to the crowded shop with stacked pieces of fluorescent art all around the room. Following a short introduction and the removal of shoes (you get to slip on some very attractive hospital slippers), it was time to descend the very steep staircase to the single roomed basement.

Nick Padalino, the artist and founder of the collection was waiting and immediately began to share his knowledge, and over the next 50 minutes Nick took us through the history of fluorescent art, its use in popular culture over the decades and the natural fluorescent rocks that exist. No bigger than 20 sq.ft., the walls and cabinets are covered with artefacts whilst half of the room is an art installation. It really is an immersive experience - the reason for the removal of the shoes is to allow you to enter the installation, to look in to all of the nooks and crannies to find the hidden features. The idea, Nick explained, is for the visitors to become part of the art as they step in to it.

Nick is a really interesting guy who talked pretty consistently throughout my visit. With his ponytail, denim waistcoat and laid back attitude, Nick embodies the spirit of Woodstock. His sense of humour becoming more evident as the visit went on and we asked more questions; “People comment on Trip Advisor that it is a weird little museum… well if you want to go to Anne Frank’s House, go to Anne Franks’s house!” he exclaimed. This museum knows what it is and is proud.

Growing up in the 1990s, I remember a fashion of neon colours and fluorescent accessories, but this museum really did open my eyes to a new appreciation for the talent. The creation of the fluorescence and how it is still as vibrant and like new today as it was in the 1960s, is brilliant. Nick’s knowledge of the subject was engaging, it was one of the most personal ‘tours’ that I have ever experienced.

At €5 this is a really unusual and hidden experience in Amsterdam that is definitely worth a visit. Check out more details on their website:

Electric Lady Land

www.electric-lady-land.com

Cactus Thiemann is currently a hidden gem nestled half an hour outside of Marrakesh’s Medina. A 17-acre cactus plantation (one of the largest in Africa), it is a botanical paradise. If you visit, you will be treated to a warm welcome from the owners, an in depth 30 minute tour where you can learn about all the species of cacti that are grown on these Moroccan soils followed by one hour to explore the site yourself and take as many photos as you wish. It is such a wonderful experience.

I’m not just throwing the word ‘hidden’ around though... this is not on any bus route, it won’t be advertised in tourist information and it is not even signposted from any road. The final part of the journey was quite literally a left turn off a roundabout that crossed a footpath (it wasn’t an exit, just a left!) and took you on to a very rough track. After about 2 minutes of driving down this trail, a tiny white sign with green font stated Cactus Thiemann and pointed in the direction we were going. Another 5 bone rattling minutes later, the main road now a distant memory, and you approach a charming gated arch. Behind the extensive wall is the beauty of Cactus Thiemann and that makes the whole confusing journey very much worth it.

To secure a visit, there is no official booking site, you have to email the day before you wish to go. The tours are only available on certain days (they will tell you in the email response) and only if there are no weddings or filming events on that day. The team are wonderfully helpful and enjoy having people visit their gardens. They even recommend a local Marrakesh taxi driver, the wonderful Mbarek, and they give you his mobile phone number (he only speaks Arabic, so we asked our Riad to call for us). He is the only taxi driver who knows how to get there! He is a very kind man who stopped on the way to buy us some water as the gardens are dry and exposed and you can’t get a drink there. He recognised that we didn’t have any water on us and took care of us. He also waited for us so that we could definitely get home (he has an agreement with Cactus Thiemann and they rate him highly for fair pricing and service) so a huge thank you to Mbarek.

I have only ever seen the little cacti sold in garden centres and probably only seen a maximum height of 10 cm. The UK is not the ideal climate for growing a champion cactus! Interestingly, I did learn that cacti have very shallow but wide reaching roots. They drink a great deal of water from the surface but due to the hot climates that they thrive in, know that the rain won’t sink deep in to the ground. So they need a lot of space and a lot of water but they also need the heat. With very little prior knowledge of cacti, I was overwhelmed by the specimens at the farm. The variations, the size, the beauty, it really is an incredible place. The biggest cactus is 8 meters tall and 80 years old. It is outstanding but certainly not alone, many cacti were taller than me (6ft) and the plots of prickly pears, agave and aloe vera are all equally impressive in their size. Hans Thiemann, the founder, travelled by road from Europe with a pick up full of cacti to start his farm in Morocco. It shows just how talented the team are to cultivate these beauties from those small beginnings.

Within this hidden gem, lies further wonders. The animals! There are donkeys, camels and tortoises roaming wild. It was so wonderful to see them safe. The camels, Zag and Essa, are not used for tourism and you could absolutely tell, they were friendly and happy to interact with us when we pet them. Essa, the cheekier of the two, kept trying to eat my hair and Magda, our wonderful guide, said it was because they thought it was straw.... hmmm! Anyway, looking in to their long lashed eyes, I forgave them... and kept an arms length.

I described Cactus Thiemann as ‘currently’ a hidden gem. The Thiemann team have big plans and are expanding. I saw the beginning of a cafe’s foundations being laid and Magda mentioned that bookings would soon become more regular with the planned expansion of the business. The cafe will serve cacti burgers, apparently Baloo the Bear had a point in the Bare Necessities, the prickly pear flesh is really tasty.

For more information check out their website below or email them directly at cactusthiemann@gmail.com.

Cactus THIEMANN – Marrakech

www.cactusthiemann.com